Hormesis in Health and Disease: Molecular Mechanisms

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hormesis was initially defined as a phenomenon where a small dose of harmful agent exposure to living organisms gives beneficial effects. The dose and time of this ‘tress’ exposure has become the object of investigation across the broad range of biomedical studies.CONTENT: Hormesis characterized by the biphasic dose-effect or time-effect relationship for any substance. Some hormetic mechanisms performed biological plasticity, involve oxidative damage which instead induce antioxidant enzyme production in various cells. Early-life stress can increase resilience in later life and lack of stress can lead to vulnerability. Many stressors like dietary factors and natural environmental toxins can be occupied for healthy growth or homeostasis, which exemplifies how illness is the doorway to health.SUMMARY: Hormesis reconcile many paradoxical phenomena exert opposite effects of the same substance, either a xenobiotic or an endogenous substance, a hormone or a metabolite, a genetic manipulation or an epigenetic alteration, an experimental intervention or a natural event. Human bodies are highly adaptive. A resilient body would be resulted after the ‘training’. In this review, we will elucidate the hormesis’ definition, mechanisms and pathways, and also how hormesis impacts in human health and lifespan.KEYWORDS: biphasic, cell signaling, dose response, hormesis, preconditioning

Cytoprotective Effects of Fish Protein Hydrolysates against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress and Mycotoxins in Caco-2/TC7 Cells

“…The increase in cell viability at lower concentrations can be due to the hormetic effect. It can be observed as either a xenobiotic or an antioxidant substance, a hormone or a metabolite in several studies [ 52 , 53 , 54 ].…”

“…did not have cytotoxic effects on Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, several studies on fish-based protein hydrolysates on multiple human cell lines have shown low toxicity and high cell viability [ 51 , 52 ]. Gómez et al [ 56 ] showed a cytoprotective effect after 24 h of treatment with red tilapia side streams in Caco-2 cells, demonstrating an increase in cell viability in a dose-dependent manner.…”

The Impact of Physical Exercise on Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress: Balancing the Benefits and Risks

“…These play critical roles in scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative damage, thus demonstrating the hermetic effects that promote cellular resilience and longevity [38,39]. This exercise intensity also triggers the NRF2 signaling pathway, a vital regulator of cellular antioxidant mechanisms, thereby boosting the body's ability to mitigate oxidative stress and protect against cardiovascular and metabolic disorders [25,52,57,60]. Conversely, high-intensity exercise can lead to an overload of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, overwhelming the antioxidant defense and resulting in cellular damage, muscle fatigue, and impaired recovery, conditions often exacerbated during continuous intense training without adequate rest [26,40,66].…”

“…While direct antioxidant supplementation has shown limited efficacy and potential risks, strategies to induce mild oxidative stress like hormesis could improve the body's natural defense mechanisms and increase sensitivity to cancer treatments [37]. Key transcription factors, NF-κB and Nrf2, regulate the expression of antioxidant enzymes, demonstrating how low-level stress can enhance health and longevity by triggering protective responses against various stressors [60]. Additionally, the body's adaptation to environmental, physical, and nutritional stress through hormesis involves epigenetic changes, highlighting the importance of understanding these responses for health and longevity.…”

Intermittent Hypoxia Conditioning: A Potential Multi-Organ Protective Therapeutic Strategy

“…Hormesis is defined by a biphasic dose-response relationship where low-dose exposures elicit stimulatory effects, while high-dose exposures produce inhibitory outcomes. 1 This adaptive response serves to facilitate acclimation, thereby enhancing an organism's resilience, which can be beneficial. One such instance is the physiological hormetic responses induced by low-level exposure to hypoxia, enhancing the performance of the organism.…”